In her own right Kate was an attractive woman. In her early twenties she was a part-time lingerie model, and struggling college student. With warm chestnut eyes, and wavy brown hair, Kate's grace fell upon the eyes of her twenty-something crush.

Elizabeth, though she confidently admired Kate physically, was never initially drawn to physicality. She too was a struggling college student, and by chance happened upon a nearby photo studio. It was merely to drop off a few negatives for her boss. Before leaving, Elizabeth caught eyes with Kate immediately blushing away to her car.

They had two more meetings, each ending with Elizabeth shying away. On the third occasion, however, Kate called after Elizabeth, chatting her up for a few minutes. Kate politely asked Elizabeth out for a cup of coffee.

Elizabeth graciously accepted even though she detested coffee. She wanted to know more about this captivating woman. It was that very afternoon that they met up at a café, and Elizabeth was surprised, albeit relieved, to find out Kate was gay.

They had subsequent dates at various locales. Each time, Elizabeth would ask Kate to tell more about herself. She was absolutely fascinated by the lives of others, and finding hers so mundane, the trials and tribulations of a lingerie model seemed inexhaustible.

That was nine years ago; and Elizabeth snuggled in Kate's arms. They shared a queen sized bed in their three bedroom home. It seemed a bit much at first, but after their third year they made a critical decision.

"Do you know what day it is?" Kate sang in her natural morning perkiness.

Elizabeth took the pillow, pressing it over her face. "It's your birthday honey, now leave me alone and let me sleep." She squinted as the pillow was pulled away.

"Aw, you remembered," Kate said, giving her a kiss.

Elizabeth yawned, looking over at the nightstand and picking up the portrait. It was of her in the delivery room, after eight hours of labor, holding their daughter. Sitting on the bed was Kate as proud as ever, weeping at her two loves. "Next to you, this is the first thing I look at every morning."

"And you make me watch the video nearly every month," Kate reminded.

"I can't help it; it's such a wonderful experience. And Kate, it meant the world to me to have you at my side throughout the pregnancy."

"Why wouldn't I be? Even if I'm not the one who got you pregnant it's still our baby."

"You had a little too much fun with that turkey baster." Elizabeth set the portrait back on the nightstand. "Don't frown, you know I was kidding. I'm glad it only took two tries though. That stuff is so icky."

"Ok, no more talk about semen. It's a done deal, and we've had six wonderful years from it so far. So what'd you get me for my birthday? Sure you didn't forget?" Kate teased in a graceful change of subject.

"I'd never forget my girlfriend's birthday. I even got you a special present," Elizabeth yawned.

"Then what was last night?" Kate reminded as she sat up, exposing her nakedness.

"Uh, Saturday night?" Elizabeth shrugged.

"Too bad it's not that good every night," Kate said while standing for her morning stretches.

"That wasn't very nice!" Elizabeth pouted.

"I'm kidding; you're always great, honest!" Kate swore.

Elizabeth tossed a pillow at her and sat up against the headboard. She looked over at the wall calendar and gasped. "Oh, it's Mother's Day, I totally forgot!"

"Dork, you always forget, and to think you were just bawling over Tabby's birth picture," Kate smirked as she took her robe from the personal bathroom.

"Get back in bed, she'll be up soon. I promised her we'd take our annual family bed head photo this morning."

Kate stood in front of the mirror, frowning at her split ends. "I swear my hair hates me." She unlocked their bedroom door, looking at her giddy lover.

"Hey, don't start with that, I won't be one of those people. Besides, I've been through a lot worse, and look at all I have to show for it," Kate said as she crawled across the bed into Elizabeth's arms.

"Yeah, like when we got our first apartment together. God that place was a dump," Elizabeth sighed.

"Baby, it was all we could afford just graduating from college. Remember how everyone said we were making a huge mistake. We only dated for eight months before we moved in." Kate smiled, rubbing Elizabeth's hand across her cheek.

"We can't! She'll wake up any minute, and you know she never forgets your birthday AND it's Mother's day, mind you. And it would be a bit awkward if she walked in on us again," Elizabeth reminded.

"That doesn't even count, she was one! I doubt she even remembers that, and you were the one that put her playpen in here that night," Kate stammered.

"She wouldn't have woken up if someone could have kept it down," Elizabeth shot back.

Kate blushed, "Sorry?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "It's as much as my fault but--"

Knock-knock. "Mommy, Kate, are you awake?"

"See, told you she never forgets," Elizabeth whispered. "Come in sweetie."

Kate reluctantly moved to the opposite side as the middle was 'reserved'.

The door opened and in walked their daughter, six year old Tabitha. Their three foot two inch angel smiled at the door. Her long black hair frizzed across her shoulders; her blue eyes gleamed, seeing her parents.

She clutched two envelopes and ran toward the bed, and climbed up, sitting in between. "Happy Mother's day mommy!" She handed Elizabeth a card.

"Thank you honey, it's adorable," Elizabeth softly acknowledged. She opened it up, seeing a crayon drawn picture of the three of them holding hands. Inside was a picture of a red rose with the inscription, 'I love you mommy forever and ever'. Elizabeth showed Kate the card as she felt a tear trickle down her cheek.

"Aw, that's so sweet Tabby. Mommy appreciates it," Kate whispered.

Tabitha nodded and picked up her second card. "I didn't forget your birthday Kate." She gave Kate a big hug and presented the card. "Happy birthday Kate and I love you too."

Kate opened the card, seeing another hand drawn picture. It was of Tabitha and Kate standing in the grass behind a big heart. "Thank you so much, sweetheart." She pressed on Tabitha's nose, seeing her giggle. "You have the same cute laugh like your mother."

"Are you gonna do anything for your birthday Kate?" Tabitha asked as she nestled in Kate's arms.

Elizabeth set the cards on the nightstand, turning to Kate. "Actually, we're going out today. We're all going out to a fancy restaurant for Kate's birthday. You're going to have to spend the night at Aunt Karen's afterward, okay?"

Tabitha crossed her arms pleadingly, looking into Elizabeth's eyes. "Do I have to? Her kitty cat scratched me last time and it hurt!" She showed the faded scar on her arm.

"Don't worry, Tabby, I had a talk with her and Mitsy has been declawed. So she can't scratch you anymore. Don't worry it didn't hurt her; they used a laser. But tell you what, tomorrow when we pick you up, I'll take you to the teddy bear store in the mall, and you can build your bear. Sound good?"

Tabitha thought for a second and uncrossed her arms, nodding. "Can I get him a tee shirt with my name on it?"

"You sure can. But guess where we're going today? We're going out for ice cream and then the zoo!" Elizabeth announced

"Yey mommy, I love seeing all the cool animals. Can I feed the elephants again? And can I pet the zebras, and than can I give the monkeys bananas, and talk to the parrots?" Tabitha excitedly asked.

"Of course you can, and you can get any kind of ice cream you want, okay?" Elizabeth promised.

Tabitha nodded and picked up Elizabeth's hand, playing with the ring. She then turned to Kate while touching the diamond. "How come you and mommy aren't married yet? You said you were going to last year."

Kate smiled, holding Tabitha's hand. "Sweetheart, we will get married, but we want to make sure the time is right. And I promise you, once we pick a day and a place you'll be the first to know, okay?"

"And then you'll be my mommy too?" Tabitha asked with a squeak.

Kate blushed, comparing the size difference of their hands. "So, what am I now?"

"You're my mommy's girlfriend." Tabitha eased between them, staring up at the ceiling. "I was in mommy's belly, but you're like my other mommy but I wasn't born from you. That's what mommy said."

"Do you believe that?" Kate softly asked.

Tabitha nodded and sat up. "My teacher said that I have two mommies. But she said I should have a 'male influence'. What's a male influence?"

Elizabeth reached around Tabitha, holding Kate's hand. "She means a daddy sweetheart. You're not angry because you don't have a daddy, are you? We wanted to be honest with you so that you can be comfortable with this."

"I know I don't have a daddy. It makes me really sad sometimes, but I'm happy Kate's here. She's really nice and you love each other, don't you?" Tabitha asked in a moment of worry.

"Even if your mother and I aren't married, Tabby, we are a family. Your mother and I have been together for nine years. And legally, I am your co-mother. So in a way I am your half mommy, but once we get married you call me mommy or Kate. Whichever one you like better, okay?" Kate explained.

"Mommy said I should always call you Kate because it won't be confusing. But sometimes I forget and call you mommy too. Can I call you mommy sometimes?" Tabitha asked.

Kate nodded, scooting over to the edge of the bed. "Well, I'm going to start breakfast. Want pancakes Tabby?"

Tabitha swung her arms around Kate's neck. "Yeah, and can you put sprinkles inside, they're so yummy!"

"But the sprinkles always melt and just make rainbow spots," Elizabeth reminded.

"I know and it tastes like candy," Tabitha admitted.

"You heard the lady, she wants sprinkles," Kate laughed as she stood up, giving Tabitha a piggyback ride to the kitchen.

"Hey wait, we almost forgot the picture!" Elizabeth reminded. She scrambled off the bed, setting up the camera on the tripod.

"Oh yeah our bed head picture," Tabitha said while climbing back on the bed.

Elizabeth set the timer and joined Kate and Tabitha in a family portrait. "Now everyone say bed head!"

The flash went off and everyone laughed, imaging how it turned out. Kate took the camera, checking the picture. "Our hair looks awful, perfect picture!" She tossed the camera on the bed, letting them see.

"Wow, my hair is really puffy, and mommy's is all on one side. How come Kate's hair always looks good in the morning!" Tabitha looked at Elizabeth's hair, then Kate's in wonder.

"I've been asking that much longer than you sweetheart," Elizabeth muttered while turning off the camera. "I'll put this one in our digital family album."

"Who's ready for pancakes?" Kate called out while kneeling down for the piggyback ride.

"Me!" Tabitha said with a raised hand. Before leaving the bed she held her mouth. "Mommy, my bottom tooth is loose!"

"Let me see?" Elizabeth asked.

Sure enough she pressed on Tabitha's tooth and it moved back and forth. "Oh, it looks like someone's going to get a visit from the tooth fairy soon!"

Tabitha shook her head and frowned. "I don't like the tooth fairy. She's mean."

"Why is she mean?" Kate asked.

"Because she always steals my teeth, and she goes in my room without knocking! The last time she was there, she knocked over my toys and didn't pick them up. I know it was her!" Tabitha accused.

Elizabeth covered her mouth to hide her amusement. "Maybe the tooth fairy couldn't see where she was going in the dark. I'm sure she's sorry for knocking over your toys." She raised an eyebrow looking at Kate. "Right Kate, isn't she sorry?"

"Yes Tabby dear, I'm sure she's very sorry. And next time she'll be more careful," Kate assured.

"It's not all bad, I mean, she did leave you a whole dollar. Speaking of which, what did you do with that dollar?" Elizabeth asked.

"I bought ice cream from the ice cream truck." Tabitha looked at both parents assumingly. "Ok maybe she's not that bad. But how come she can't leave me toys like Santa?"

"If she did that, she would put Santa out of a job. Now, let's go make mommy that super secret breakfast we talked about," Kate loudly whispered.

"She heard you!" Tabitha gasped.

"Sorry," Kate laughed as Tabitha ran onto her back for the piggyback ride.

Elizabeth fluffed the pillow beneath her reaching for her card. "My future wife and kid, who would have thought," She picked up the card smiling at the hand drawn picture.

"Hurry up mommy, it's gonna be really yummy!"

"I'm coming," Elizabeth smiled as she put on her slippers. Before Elizabeth left, she put both the cards in a special family safe with all of Tabitha's pictures and cards. "I'm a mommy, the most precious gift of all."

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